Saturday, November 28, 2020

Ode to Washington

Goodbye Washington...new seasons ahead!

Well I just found my old blog here and decided it needed a finally.

 For now you can find me on instagram or fb

www.instagram.com/awomanwhois/   www.facebook.com/a.woman.who.is

Since this blog was about Washington my garden and my life there I wanted to end it with the mature garden that I started 13 years ago and a final catch up with my grand girls. Last April we departed WA state under the new trama of covid and traveled across the country to Franklin TN. It was intense!  Three years ago my daughter stole my 3 grand daughters by moving here to Franklin TN ! ðŸ˜‰ Dan retired last summer so we thought why not go on an adventure and join them . So here we are in the south just 30 minutes from Nashville and it feels like a different country. My biggest take away from the last 8 months is that it is a very PLEASANT place to live. The weather the town the people and our charming neighborhood. I might start a new blog about that.  

Here are some final photos from my garden the summer of 2019. Many of my old followers saw the  beginnings of that garden and my empty nester season. 


















The girls then and now




Little miss Puddin Toes is now 13!

Here are some pictures of a new tiny tiny baby garden and our new home.

Moving day and Eden helping me un pack





Our new neighborhood Westhaven















Friday, November 24, 2017

Blue Mountain Lavender Farm

Blue Mountain Lavender Farm 

The following paintings are all painted at Blue Mountain Lavender Farm in Walla Walla Washington.  For the last few years I have loved taking a trip at peak bloom and spend the day doing a plein air painting.  These are from the last two years.  They are on sale for that special holiday gift idea.  I have recently been contacted by a sweet lady who was my bookmobile librarian and this piece of property was in her family a few generations ago.

This is a view in the front of the property done in 2016.  We hit the timing of the poppies just right that year.


 Oil wrapped canvas 16x20 (not framed)  $375.00


This is again the front view with the Blue Mountains in the background.


Oil Panel Board Framed 9x12 $250.00



This view is in the back of the property with a great view of the distant Blue Mountains.


Oil Panel Board  Framed 12x16   $400.00

This was done back in the studio on a larger format with a softer touch in mind.


Oil Wrapped Canvas 16x20  (not framed)  $375.00

The grand girlies and I having a fun day picking lavender and sketching!






Thursday, August 17, 2017

Recent Paintings

Oil Paintings 2016-2017

Lavender Fields Forever 12x16

I have been spending sometime learning the art of  "Plein Air" (a french term for painting outside, plain air)  in the last couple of years. All of the landscapes have been started in the field and finished in the studio.  I hope to get faster at this process and complete the paintings in the field.  The roses are done from photos from my garden this year. It was a spectacular year for roses.

I will be in two art shows this fall.  One in Joseph, OR  Sept.14-17 where the waterfall was painted last year. The second show will be on Red Mt. at Hamilton's Cellars for the 509Tour de Arts show Oct.20-22.  This winery will also be hosting our Tour de Arts Paint Out

Below are some of the paintings I will be exhibiting.

Tapteil Winery 8x10

Red Mountain View/Tapteil 11x14
SOLD
Wallowa Waterfall 9x12
SOLD
June Rose 2017 16x16

 Light Pink Rose 2017 16x16

Thursday, May 18, 2017

A Quick Up Date for Red Mountain Wineries


Beautiful Views this afternoon from Red Mountain.  It is obvious why they call it Red Mt. this time of the year!  

Views from Hamilton Cellars

Hamilton Cellars Tasting Notes

2015 Ciel Du Cheval Viogner:  If you are a white wine drinker this Viognier blend will make you smile. Lovely pear and spice notes with a very smooth mouth due to 9 months + in small French Oak. 

2010 Merlot CV: Smooth toasted cherry vanilla characteristics 100% Merlot. 

2011 Malbec CV: Lovely dark garnet red color with some big black fruit and vanilla aromas with a hint of black pepper on the finish.  A real smooth intro on the palate.

Cooper Tasting Notes

2015 Barrel Maker White: This is another great white with Viognier on the top end of the blend of Chardonnay and Riesling. The scent is honeysuckle from the get go with a big taste of grapefruit through to the finish.

2014 Estate Merlot: This is another winning Merlot from Red Mt. Could it be I am turning into a Merlot fan?  I guess I am when they are from Red Mt. This one made me smile real big. A big bold wow with a great chewy mouth feel. Lots of fruit  on this lovely glass of red wine.

2014 Estate Cab Franc: Gorgeous big dried fruit taste.

2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Big cab with big flavor! Bing Cherry vanilla coke. That's what I am talking about for a Red Mt. cab  :)

Monday, May 15, 2017

Red Mountain AVA

We headed out last Saturday to do some wine tasting on Red Mt. where we will be meeting this Saturday on May 20th for our PAWA paint out. This spot is Washington's premier AVA. Our first stop will be a 9:00 am meet up at Tapteil which just happens to be my favorite winery on Red Mt.

First of all Larry Pearson owner and wine maker grows some of the finest fruit in Washington State right here on Red Mt.  He sells most of his fruit for a premium price point but keeps the best for his boutique winery.  These wines are only available to be purchased on sight. His wife Jane is an amazing artist who's work often appears on their labels.  Do take some time to taste this wine and enjoy Jane's art in the tasting room which delightfully depicts the seasonal life of wine making on Red Mt.
The Hat Party

Tapteil is known for their Syrah and Cab, but this year I found the GSM was over the top. We purchase 4 bottles and was told this wine was in short supply. By the way Laura and I love the views from this winery!

TASTING NOTES FOR RED MT. 


2015 Dry Riesling:This has a very beautiful full scent on the nose of grapefruit. I just kept wanting to sniff this wine. A bright citrus taste with a dry mineral linger.
2015 Barrel aged Riesling: I found this to be very light in flavor almost a neutral mouth. Very delicate.
2014 Grenache: This will be a lovely summer red. Very light on the palette with whispers of strawberries, a hint of acid and a clean finish. I am already envisioning this being sipped on a hot summer day in the middle of my rose garden with all that fragrance and beauty being paired with this wine! 
2014 GSM: Heaven in a glass!!! This was so delicious that my husband and I were almost groaning. Best wine I have tasted this year!!!  This is a dark, dark garnet red with deep levels of flavor floating all over your tongue. I tasted sweet fully ripened dark plum juices, mingled with Bing Cherry and a touch of coco powder.  The was so smoooooth you could hardly stop drinking this one. We got one in our shipment, then my husband purchased another bottle before I made it to the counter.  I left the winery with two more in my hands. I couldn't help myself.
2014 Mourvedre: On the first sip you taste a bit of cherry cola that hits the front of your palate. You get a spicy over all taste that lingers with a bit of pepper on the end. My husband saves this wine for his "cigar" moments.  Preferably with a good friend!

Summer Evening at Tapteil


One last note, the view from this winery is also a great one for moonscapes Melanie Thompson ;)


At noon on Saturday we will regroup at Hedges Family Estate.  The surroundings here are higher up on the mountain and have some vast views. The Winery itself is a french chateau that some of the family does indeed live at.  Their story is one of a boy from Richland WA meets girl from Trois-Maisons Champagne France.

Their wines definitely have an old European style and are much more delicate and floral. 


2016 Descendants Le Blanc: This is a great Rhone blend of Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. Fresh green apple finish.
2016 Descendants Le Rose: A rose` of Syrah and Grenache that has a lovely bouquet and taste of strawberries and cream
2012 Hedges Red Mountain:  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah. Cab Franc, and Petit Vidot.  This was a really well rounded wine as you can imagine with all those grape varietals in this bottle. The flavors really lingered on your mid palate with just enough spice for me. This wine has a subtle earthy tone.
2012 DLD Syrah: Again a much lighter tone then your typical Red Mt. Syrah. The tannin's have a light French Oak style.  Earthy flavors with hints of sweet black licorice.
2013 Godhart Family Syrah: A bit darker and richer in flavors with a pleasant bit of metallic finish on the end. 
2009 Red Mountain Fortified; This old world style port was very smooth and velvety. Very well balanced and just lovely all on it's own. 



We had some lovely cloud structure.  There are also some hidden gardens on the estate to explore.

There are a few more wineries I hope to get to later this week!

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